Rome Italy: Great Study Abroad Experience Past Review
By Victoria S (Political Science, University of Arizona) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Rome, Italy
I have gained a new appreciation for other cultures and have learned a lot about how to travel and where during my study abroad experience. My academic interests remain the same, but in the future I hope to be able to travel to more places so that I can see other parts of the world and learn about a variety of cultures.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload abroad was similar to what I experience at my home university. In some classes I got a heavier workload than in others, but I feel that is given with the nature of taking a variety of classes in different subject areas. The grading system is different from my home university because there is no pluses and minuses, there are just solid grades (A, B, etc.). The teaching methods are very similar to my home institution ( a lecture and power points). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CEA was easily accessible and always willing to help students. One problem throughout the semester was problems with the computers, printers, etc (technical problems). These issues made it difficult at time to get school work completed. The program size was a good size, not too big but not too small. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My neighborhood felt extremely safe and comfortable. Everything was a walk or a bus ride away which was very convenient. I didn't need to buy much, except for a bathroom and kitchen trash can. |
| * Food: |
The quantity of food in Italy is smaller than the United States, but I think that this was beneficial. All of the food was wonderful! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
A memorable experience through my program was the day trip to Florence. It was nice to be guided and be taken to the "main attractions". Additionally, in Italy we were taken to pizza and gelato with the program, which was nice to get to know everyone. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Rome in general seemed relatively safe to me. I would say as in the way for advice to always watch your belongings as the most common crime is pick-pocking. I did not access the healthcare in Italy. There was no specific vaccines that I needed for my program that I didn't already previously have. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would suggest that students wanting a small program should go through CEA. I would suggest only taking classes at CEA so that you do not have to commute back and fourth between John Cabot and CEA. |
